Why do some physicians thrive when new workflow tools are introduced, while others continue to struggle despite having access to the same resources? In this insightful episode of Life Changing Moments, host Dr. Dael Waxman sits down with Dr. Sachiko Kaizuka—Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine—to explore the intersection of physician well-being, workflow design, and coaching.

Dr. Kaizuka shares her journey from rural practice burnout to becoming an EMR "super user" and wellness advocate. She introduces the concept of human factors ergonomics—a framework used in aviation and aerospace to optimize human performance—and explains how it applies to healthcare. Her research demonstrates that combining human factors principles with personalized coaching helps physicians reduce cognitive load, improve note closure rates, decrease after-hours EMR work, and sustain improvements in well-being long after coaching ends. This conversation offers practical tools for any clinician feeling overwhelmed by documentation, inbox management, and the competing demands of modern medicine.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Dr. Kaizuka's personal journey through burnout and recovery in rural practice.

• The concept of human factors ergonomics and its application to healthcare.

• Understanding cognitive energy as a finite resource that must be budgeted and replenished.

• Why resilience and mindfulness alone aren't enough to address physician burnout.

• The "missing link" between workflow tools and physician adoption: personalized coaching.

• How coaching helps clinicians identify and challenge beliefs about perfectionism and expectations.

• Practical examples: reframing note-writing, setting boundaries, and letting go of unnecessary tasks.

• The NASA Task Load Index and the emotional cost of frustration.

• Results from Dr. Kaizuka's pilot study: improved note closure rates, reduced after-hours EMR use, sustained well-being improvements.

• The power of shifting from "EMR hater" to curious learner.

• Future plans: scaling the coaching model and training peer coaches.

Guest Information:

• Dr. Sachiko Kaizuka, MD – Associate Professor of Family Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine

• MD Coaches: mymdcoaches.com

Relevant Links:

• MD Coaches: mymdcoaches.com

• Companion podcast: Rx for Success with Dr. Randy Cook

• Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM)

What happens when a physician faces a devastating obstetrical outcome, crushing malpractice premiums, and the realization that the career path they've chosen is no longer sustainable? In this deeply personal and insightful episode of Rx for Success, host Dr. Randy Cook sits down with Dr. George Nowacek—an OBGYN practicing in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the newest addition to the MD Coaches team.

Dr. Nowacek shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Virginia, to an old-school residency (pre-duty hour restrictions), to private practice in Macon, Georgia, and eventually to a fulfilling academic career at UNC. He opens up about the difficult decision to stop practicing obstetrics after a traumatic outcome, the financial pressures that influenced that choice, and the unexpected joy of pivoting to a GYN-only practice and later to academic medicine. Along the way, he offers profound wisdom on defining success on your own terms, cultivating relationships across a lifetime, and prioritizing the activities that charge your battery.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Growing up with parents in education and discovering medicine as an "assumption" rather than a dramatic calling.

• The challenge of choosing a specialty with limited information in medical school.

• Why OBGYN appealed to his personality: every day is different (medicine, primary care, procedures, surgery).

• The reality of residency in the pre-duty hour era: survival mode, doubt, and learning on the fly.

• Reflections on duty hour restrictions and the evolution of medical training.

• The transition from residency to private practice: the "quantum jump" from trainee to the person in charge.

• The emotional and practical impact of a bad obstetrical outcome.

• How malpractice premiums (pre-caps) made obstetrics financially unsustainable.

• The decision to leave obstetrics and pivot to a GYN-only private practice.

• Being recruited into academic medicine at UNC Chapel Hill.

• The rewards of teaching: watching trainees grow from interns to chiefs.

• Discovering coaching through a grand rounds presentation and pursuing training.

• The importance of peer support for physicians who have experienced bad outcomes.

• Dr. Nowacek's three prescriptions for success: define success for yourself, cultivate relationships, and find what charges your battery.

Guest Information:

• Dr. George Nowacek, MD – OBGYN, UNC Chapel Hill, Physician Coach, MD Coaches

• MD Coaches: mymdcoaches.com

Relevant Links:

• MD Coaches: mymdcoaches.com

• Companion podcast: Life-Changing Moments with Dr. Dale Waxman

• American College of OBGYN (ACOG) Peer Support Programs

Many physicians today carry a quiet but persistent tension—trying to meet the demands of medicine while also showing up for their lives outside of it. And often, it can feel like no matter how much they give, it's never quite enough. In this insightful episode of Life Changing Moments, host Dr. Dael Waxman sits down with Dr. Cindy Van Praag—anesthesiologist, integrative health and wellness coach, and the newest addition to the MD Coaches team.

Cindy shares her personal journey from practicing anesthesiology to discovering coaching at exactly the right moment in her life. She explains what drew her to focus specifically on physician moms, the themes that show up again and again in her coaching work, and how small, intentional shifts can lead to profound change. Together, Dael and Cindy explore the difference between surface problems and underlying drivers, the power of neuroplasticity and small steps, and practical tools like breath work and the "dichotomy of control" that any physician can start using today.

Key Topics Discussed:

Cindy's pathway from anesthesiology to integrative medicine to health and wellness coaching.

The serendipitous moment she agreed to "help a colleague with her coaching hours"—and ended up being transformed herself.

What drew Cindy to focus specifically on physician moms as her coaching niche.

The internal factors (sleep, exhaustion, feeling out of control) and external factors (work systems, relationships, schedules) that bring clients to coaching.

The underlying drivers beneath the surface: self-criticism, fear, guilt, and the struggle for control.

How inner conflicts show up in daily life: stopping activities you love, not recognizing yourself, constant doing for others.

The power of neuroplasticity and the field of grass metaphor for laying down new neural pathways.

Why small, achievable steps are the key to sustainable change.

How to prioritize what matters most by connecting choices to your values and sense of purpose.

Practical small shifts listeners can try today: breath work to activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

The dichotomy of control: focusing energy on what you can control (thoughts, words, responses) and releasing what you cannot.

What integrative health and wellness coaching actually means: a whole-person approach addressing relationships, environment, spirituality, purpose, and physical health.

Cindy's powerful takeaway for physician moms: "You are enough."

Guest Information:

Dr. Cindy Van Praag, MD – Anesthesiologist, Integrative Health & Wellness Coach, MD Coaches

Podcast: Inspired Mom MDs

Website: inspiredmommds.com

LinkedIn: Cindy Van Praag

MD Coaches: mymdcoaches.com

Relevant Links:

MD Coaches: mymdcoaches.com

Follow Life Changing Moments for more conversations on physician growth and transformation

Companion podcast: Rx for Success with Dr. Randy Cook

What happens when a physician realizes she's running all her burners at 110% and something has to change? In this inspiring episode of Rx for Success, host Dr. Randy Cook sits down with Dr. Cindy Van Praag—a board-certified anesthesiologist, integrative medicine physician, health coach, and podcast host of Inspired Mom MDs.

Cindy shares her remarkable journey from a childhood fascination with a book called Diseases to a successful career in anesthesia, through periods of burnout, and ultimately to a place of healing and intentional living. She opens up about her transformative experience in the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine fellowship, how meditation and self-care became non-negotiable, and why she co-founded a ketamine infusion center to help those with treatment-resistant depression and chronic pain. Along the way, she offers practical wisdom on setting boundaries, listening to your inner voice, and crafting a life that fits—not the other way around.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Growing up moving across the country and how it shaped comfort with change.

• The book Diseases as a childhood treasure and early sign of a medical calling.

• The career counselor who said, "You absolutely should apply to medical school."

• Why anesthesia? Peeking over the surgical drape and finding the "cool, calm" people.

• The natural segue from anesthesia to integrative medicine and coaching.

• Cindy's personal journey through burnout: losing her mother, raising young kids, and pushing 110%.

• How the Andrew Weil fellowship taught self-care as part of the curriculum.

• The power of meditation and breath work—starting with just a few minutes.

• Learning to set boundaries with patients and saying no without guilt.

• Co-founding Spring Center of Hope: a ketamine infusion therapy center for depression, suicidal ideation, and chronic pain.

• Why low-dose ketamine is radically different from the doses used in operating rooms.

• Launching Inspired Mom MDs podcast and why the lessons apply to everyone, not just physician moms.

• Cindy's three prescriptions for success: focus on what matters, release what you can't control, and listen to your inner voice.

Guest Information:

• Dr. Cindy Van Praag, MD – Anesthesiologist, Integrative Medicine Physician, Health & Wellness Coach

• Podcast: Inspired Mom MDs

• Website: inspiredmommds.com

• LinkedIn: Cindy Van Praag

Relevant Links:

• MD Coaches: mymdcoaches.com

• Companion videocast: Life-Changing Moments with Dr. Dale Waxman

• Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

• Unlock Bonus content and get the shows early on our Patreon

  Follow us or Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Amazon | Spotify

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  There's more at https://mymdcoaches.com/podcast

  Music by Ryan Jones. Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at [email protected]

  Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com

If you're a physician and you've ever found yourself wondering, "Is it just me, or is something off?"—this conversation is for you. In this deeply reflective episode of Life Changing Moments, host Dr. Dael Waxman is joined by his colleague at MD Coaches, Dr. Carla Rotering—a pulmonologist, intensivist, former medical staff president, writer, poet, and musician with over 20 years of coaching experience.

Together, they explore what lies beneath the familiar but often inadequate word "burnout." Carla shares her own powerful journey through depletion—including the moment she threatened God with a lawsuit for breach of contract—and how small, intentional shifts helped her reclaim her sense of self. They discuss the hidden costs of overgiving, the identity crisis that keeps physicians stuck, and the transformative power of curiosity, agency, and asking for what you need. This episode is not about quick fixes. It's an invitation to understand what may be happening beneath the surface and to begin considering what small shifts might open the door to more meaning, engagement, and gratification in your work.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why the word "burnout" underestimates the experience and can even be a turnoff for physicians.

• The subtle, slow erosion of self that happens as physicians adapt to the "machinery of medicine."

• How depletion manifests: cynicism, loss of caring, numbing behaviors, and distance from relationships.

• The cultural reinforcers that reward overgiving and make being "busy and tired" a badge of honor.

• What physicians may be protecting by staying in painful situations (identity, shame, fear of failure).

• The liberating realization: "I could quit" and "I am here by choice."

• Small, daily practices that can shift experience, including taking two breaths before entering a patient's room.

• Asking nurses to ask, "What color are your patient's eyes?" as a practice of connection.

• Practical exercises for listeners: "What expands me / what contracts me" and "What moments today did I feel most like myself?"

• The powerful shift from "I'm the only one who can" to "I work among people I can trust."

• The role of coaching: creating a container for discovery, asking powerful questions, and helping physicians reclaim agency.

Guest Information:

• Dr. Carla Rotering, Physician Coach, MD Coaches – Pulmonologist, Intensivist, Writer, Poet, Musician

• Dr. Dael Waxman, Physician Coach, MD Coaches – Host, Life Changing Moments

• Website: mymdcoaches.com

• Join the MD Coaches community on Facebook

Relevant Links:

• MD Coaches: mymdcoaches.com

• Follow Life Changing Moments for more conversations on physician growth and transformation

• MD Coaches Facebook Community

Welcome to the very first video episode of Rx for Success! After nine years as an audio-only podcast, host Dr. Randy Cook is thrilled to launch the videocast format with two extraordinary guests: Shayan Mashatian, a serial entrepreneur and technologist, and Dr. Desmond Bell, a podiatrist, limb preservation advocate, and president of WoundScribe AI.

Together, they share the fascinating origin story of WoundScribe AI and its patient-facing companion app, Pingoo. Shayan takes us on his remarkable journey from Iran—where he helped establish the first internet node in the country—to Canada, the U.S., and eventually into the world of health tech. Dr. Bell explains how this AI-powered platform is revolutionizing wound care by combining ambient listening, automated wound measurement, clinical decision support, and micro-learning for patients. The result? A tool that saves clinicians hours of documentation time, empowers patients through education, and creates a learning health system that gets smarter with every use.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Shayan's journey from Iran to the West: launching the first internet node in Iran, the decision to emigrate, and adapting to new cultures.

• What it means to be a "technologist with a passion for social innovation"—and why technology is just a tool for change.

• The inspiration behind Pingoo: Duolingo-style micro-learning applied to health education, gamification, and daily engagement.

• The shocking statistic: every 20 seconds, someone loses a leg to diabetic foot ulcers—and 85% are preventable with education.

• How WoundScribe evolved from Pingoo to a comprehensive AI platform for clinicians.

• The three core problems WoundScribe solves: documentation burden, wound measurement inconsistency, and clinical decision support.

• Why predicting treatment response (like hyperbaric oxygen therapy) is the "juice" of clinical decision support.

• How generative AI and continuous learning create a system that improves with every patient interaction.

• The "dirty secret" of wound care: no formal training pathway exists—most clinicians learn on the job.

• Shayan's three prescriptions for success: volunteer work, adaptability, and resilience.

Guest Information:

• Shayan Mashatian, Technologist, Serial Entrepreneur, Founder of WoundScribe AI & Pingoo

  • Email: [email protected]

  • Website: woundscribe.ai

  • Pingoo: pingoo.ai

• Dr. Desmond Bell, DPM, President of WoundScribe AI, Founder of Save a Leg, Save a Life

  • Website: thesalsal.org

• Dr. Randy Cook, Host, Rx for Success – MD Coaches

Relevant Links:

• MD Coaches: mymdcoaches.com

• WoundScribe AI: woundscribe.ai

• Save a Leg, Save a Life: thesalsal.org

• Companion podcast: Life-Changing Moments with Dr. Dael Waxman

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  We want to hear from you! Do you have additional thoughts about today's topic? Do you have your own Prescription for Success? Record a message on Speakpipe

  Unlock Bonus content and get the shows early on our Patreon

  Follow us or Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Amazon | Spotify

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  There's more at https://mymdcoaches.com/podcast

  Music by Ryan Jones. Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at [email protected]

  Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com

Welcome to the evolution of Life Changing Moments! In this debut videocast episode, host Dr. Dael Waxman is joined by his colleague and fellow physician coach at MD Coaches, Dr. Murnal Shah, for a foundational conversation about physician coaching.

Together, they explore the nuanced landscape of coaching in medicine—why physicians seek it, what holds them back, and how coaching differs from counseling, advising, or simply "getting help." Drawing on decades of combined experience working with physicians at all career stages, Dale and Murnal unpack the myths, misconceptions, and transformative potential of coaching. From the newly minted resident questioning their path to the seasoned leader stepping into a C-suite role, they make a compelling case for investing in oneself—not out of crisis, but out of a commitment to growth.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The wide spectrum of reasons physicians seek coaching: from leadership transitions to burnout and disillusionment.

• What "remedial coaching" really looks like—and why fear and anger are often at the root of perceived unprofessionalism.

• The critical distinction between coaching (future-focused, action-oriented) and counseling (past-focused, healing-oriented).

• Why physicians are conditioned to neglect self-investment and how the "hero mindset" of training creates barriers.

• The evidence for coaching: improved communication, retention, and reduced burnout.

• Why high-performing physicians seek coaching—and why being "right" isn't the same as being effective.

• The power of curiosity over advice-giving: coaching as a thought partnership where the answers reside within the client.

• Practical encouragement for anyone hesitating: let that hesitation be the driver to learn more.

Guest Information:

• Dr. Dael Waxman, Physician Coach, MD Coaches – Host, Life Changing Moments

• Dr. Murnal Shah, Physician Coach, MD Coaches

• Website: mymdcoaches.com

• Join the MD Coaches community on Facebook

Relevant Links:

• MD Coaches: mymdcoaches.com

• Follow Life Changing Moments for more conversations on physician growth and transformation

• MD Coaches Facebook Community

Residency is one of the most profound life-changing seasons in a physician's journey—a time of rapid growth, deep uncertainty, and one of the biggest decisions of all: what comes next. In this unique collaborative episode, host Dr. Dael Waxman is joined by Charles Lowry, Director of Graduate Medical Education Relations at PracticeLink and host of the Surviving and Thriving in Residency podcast.

Rather than a traditional interview, Dr. Waxman and Charlie engage in a shared conversation about the critical inflection points they've witnessed in medical students and residents. They explore the hidden struggles beneath the confident exterior—the loneliness, the imposter syndrome, the career uncertainty—and the powerful role that connection, validation, and intentional support can play. Together, they uncover how coaching and career resources can help residents move from survival mode to intentional choice, and why finding your "people" is essential for a sustainable, fulfilling career in medicine.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Charlie's journey from statewide campus director for medical students to his current role supporting residents nationwide.

• The vulnerability and openness residents show when given a safe, non-evaluative space to share their struggles.

• The hidden stressors of residency: loneliness, lack of family support, and the challenge of being an international medical graduate.

• How PracticeLink serves as a free, comprehensive career resource for residents, from CV reviews to scholarships.

• The role of coaching in addressing imposter syndrome, leadership challenges, and the transition from training to practice.

• Why career uncertainty is a major driver of stress and well-being issues.

• Practical advice for residents: take advantage of free resources, find your community, and remember that residency is just one chapter.

• What gives both Dr. Waxman and Charlie hope about the next generation of physicians.

Guest Information:

• Mr. Charles Lowry, Director of Graduate Medical Education Relations, PracticeLink.

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: practicelink.com

• Podcast: Surviving and Thriving in Residency

• PracticeLink offers free CV reviews, scholarships, webinars, and a robust job board for physicians at all stages.

Relevant Links:

• MD Coaches: mymdcoaches.com

• Sponsor: PracticeLink – practicelink.com

• Sponsor: Navigate Student Loans – http://navigate.as.me/MD-Coaches

• Sponsor: Physician Outlook – physicianoutlook.com

• MD Coaches Community on Facebook

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Music by Ryan Jones. Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at [email protected]

Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com

What if the key to physician career satisfaction and retention lies not in more training, but in better matching? In this insightful episode, Dr. Randy Cook welcomes Mr. Charles Lowry, Director of Provider Engagement for PracticeLink. Coming from a unique background in rural farming and international student services, Charles now dedicates his work to helping medical students, residents, and fellows navigate one of the most critical transitions of their careers: finding the right first job.

We explore his journey from a small West Virginia farm to becoming a trusted advisor in the medical community, his role at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, and his current mission with PracticeLink. Charles demystifies the free services available to physicians-in-training, from CV reviews and scholarship programs to the "Surviving and Thriving in Residency" podcast. He shares profound wisdom on the importance of cultural fit, the non-linear path to success, and the energy we bring into every room.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Growing up on a self-sustaining farm in rural West Virginia and the values it instilled.

• The transformative experience of attending tuition-free Berea College and working with international students.

• The crucial role of a Statewide Campus Director in guiding medical students through clinical rotations.

• How PracticeLink serves as a free, comprehensive career resource for physicians at all stages.

• The importance of the "right fit" between a physician and their first practice for long-term retention and happiness.

• Charles's three-part "Prescription for Success": staying grounded and calm, understanding that success isn't a straight line, and overcoming your own internal critic.

Guest Information:

• Mr. Charles Lowry, Director of Provider Engagement, PracticeLink.

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: practicelink.com

• Podcast: Surviving and Thriving in Residency

Relevant Links:

• MD Coaches: mymdcoaches.com

• Sponsor: PracticeLink – practicelink.com

• Sponsor: Navigate Student Loans – flipthescript.loan/md-coaches

• Sponsor: Physician Outlook – physicianoutlook.com

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Music by Ryan Jones. Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at [email protected]

Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com

What does it take to build a revolutionary business in surgery while living a life of high-altitude adventure? In this electrifying episode, Dr. Randy Cook sits down with Dr. Ronen Elefant, a trauma & acute care surgeon, jet pilot, and innovative entrepreneur. Dr. Elefant shares his remarkable journey from immigrating to the U.S. without speaking English to training at the famed Shock Trauma Center, all while pursuing his passion for aviation.

We explore his unique engineering mindset applied to surgery, the genesis of his direct-surgical-care company ACES National Surgical Team, and his bold vision to fix a broken healthcare system. Dr. Elefant argues that the root of medicine's problems lies in the misuse of health insurance and offers a compelling alternative: a transparent, bundled-cash model that puts patients and employers back in control.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Immigrating from Israel at age nine and embracing a new life and language.

• How a biomedical engineering background shapes his surgical problem-solving.

• The unparalleled training and camaraderie of a 12-person fellowship at Shock Trauma.

• The parallel journey of becoming a certified Airline Transport Pilot and using aviation as a business tool.

• The founding philosophy behind ACES: a direct-surgical-care "software solution" for existing surgery centers.

• Why "health insurance" is a misnomer and how a cash-based model increases quality and lowers costs.

• Dr. Elefant's two essential "Prescriptions for Success": relentless persistence and achieving "escape velocity."

Guest Information:

• Dr. Ronen Elefant, Trauma & Acute Care Surgeon, Founder of ACES National Surgical Team.

• Website: acessurgical.com

• Email: [email protected]

• Connect on LinkedIn

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Unlock Bonus content and get the shows early on our Patreon

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Music by Ryan Jones. Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at [email protected]

Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com